Israel has been placed on a high alert footing, according to Israeli sources, amidst the escalating anti-government protests in Iran and the explicit possibility of U.S. intervention. These developments come as Iran faces its largest wave of unrest since late 2025, initially sparked by economic challenges and now evolving into direct challenges to the clerical establishment. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly issued warnings to Iranian leaders against the violent suppression of demonstrators, stating that the U.S. stands 'ready to help' the Iranian people. This posture has led to serious discussions about potential American military action. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly discussed the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran during a phone call on Saturday, January 10, 2026. While Israel has not signalled a desire for direct intervention, its military is reportedly prepared to respond if necessary, treating the protests as an internal Iranian matter. In response to the U.S. threats, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that if America strikes the Islamic Republic, both Israel and U.S. military bases in the region would become 'legitimate targets.' Iran's government has also accused the U.S. and Israel of fomenting the current unrest. The protests in Iran are occurring amid a near-total internet blackout, making it difficult to fully assess the scale of the crackdown and casualties, with human rights groups reporting a rising death toll.